Burial vault



B. F. HAYS.

BURIAL VAULT Aug. 2, 1938.

Filed se t. 50, 19:57

2 SheetS- -Sheet 2 Inventor j Q B Patented Aug. 2, 1938 PATENT OFFICE BURIAL VAULT Benjiman Franklin Hays, Hamburg, Iowa Application September 30 1937, Serial No. 166,643

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a structurally novel and adequately perfected cementitious burial vault, of the above surface, or mausoleum style, and the outstanding objective is to provide a structure in this classification, wherein the casket is adequately housed and protected to promote longevity and to thereby satisfy the needs of the trade.

Revealed with greater particularity, I have evolved and produced a relatively simple and economical vault construction, possessed of a unique internal construction to render the casket substantially moisture proof, through the medium of proper insulation, whereby to not only preserve the vault itself, but to materially prolong the life of the casket and the deceased body contained therein.

Briefly stated, the preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by a simplified selection and coordination of details, wherein the internal means consists of pre-cast units susceptible of assembly and sealing at the grave.

Other features and advantages will become readily apparent from the following description and accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central, vertical, longitudinal sectional view through a burial vault or mausoleum constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View, in elevation, with the cover or lid removed to expose the structure therebeneath.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the removable internal parts removed to expose the riser on the floor or bottom of the main outer receptacle or casing.

Fig. 4 is a transverse or cross-sectional View of the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective View.

The complete structure, with the exception of the lead air-circulating pipes is preferably made from cementitious material such as cast concrete. Thus the invention relates more particularly to the concrete vault art and the vault proper is denoted in Figure 3 of the drawings by the numeral 6, and it comprises a box-like casing or outer receptacle of general rectangular form. Formed integral with the uppersurface of the bottom of the casing is a frame-like riser formed from endless curbing as at I. This in effect provides a rest or base for the casket depository or the inner enclosure 8. Embedded or molded in the concrete at the time of original manufacture, are substantially L-shaped lead elbows or venting pipes 9. These afford communication between the chamber or space and surrounding outer space or chamber H.

The made-up box-like receptacle for the casket denoted by the numeral 8 in Figure 4, is of a sectional character. It is formed from a plurality of concrete pre-cast blocks. The relatively thick or bottom slab is denoted by the numeral I2 and is placed upon the ledge formed by the riser l. Surrounding this bottom slab l2 and rising vertically therefrom are the vertical walls 13 and these extend to a point below the siding walls of the outer enclosure vault 6.

Resting removably on the casket container 8 and forming a closure therefor is a removable pre-cast concrete unit denoted by the numeral I4. This comprises a horizontal partitioning plate l of an area to fit snugly within the upper portion of the vault 6. An upstanding flange I6 is formed integral with the top side of the partitioning plate l5 and is of an area corresponding to the parts 1 and 8. Being an endless flange and rectangular in top plan view it defines an additional air compartment I 1. Thus there is an air compartment I0 below the casket container 8 and an air compartment ll above it, and a surrounding major air compartment I I. Then too, in addition to the circulating pipes or vents 9 are provided additional or supplemental vents 9a and these are attached to the rim or flange IS and extend down through the marginal edge portions of the plate l5 thereby to afford communication between the side compartment H and the top compartment H.

The closure or lid, which is of concrete, is denoted by the numeral l8 and is of appropriate formation and provided with a retention bead l9 which telescopes into the main vault 6 to provide the desired weatherproof joints. If desired one end of the cover may be provided with a suitable boss 20 susceptible as functioning as a grave marker or so-called headstone.

In practice slab I2 is placed upon the curbing frame I after which the surrounding walls I3 are put into position and are joined into unitary relationship through the medium of an appropriate sealing compound (not shown). Then the structure is ready for reception of the casket (not shown). With the casket in the receptacle 8 it is obvious that the partitioning unit [4 is then put in position and this is sealed around its edges to the side-Walls of the vault 6. Finally the lid is placed on and further sealed by concrete or some other equivalent preparation or compound.

It has been found that by so assembling the parts the casket container 8 which may be said to include the lid I5 is maintained in a substantially dry estate through proper insulation aeration. Consequently both the casket and vault are maintained in good condition for an indefinite period of time.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes comingwithin the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

In a burial vault construction of the class described a box-like concrete vault comprising a 20 unitary pre-cast structure including a, bottom,

side and end walls and a riser attached to and rising from the interior of the bottom, said riser being a rectangular frame-like form and spaced fromthe side and end walls and forming an air cavity, a casket receptacle coextensive with the riser and seated on the upper edges of said riser and covering said cavity, said receptacle being spaced from the walls of the vault to provide an air space entirely surrounding the receptacle, a horizontal partitioning unit removably positioned in the vault and covering said receptacle, said partition further constituting a top for the air .space and being provided with an upstanding rectangular frame providing an additional air space above the receptacle, a removable cover seated upon the upper edges of the Vault and said last named frame and a plurality of pipes afiording communication between the spaces surrounding the receptacle.

BENJIMAN FRANKLIN HAYS. 

